Holy Mutations

Deformed animals born in developing nations often attract streams of pilgrims, seeking to touch a creature considered divinely blessed. In December, a five-legged cow in Raipur, India, had supposedly "caused" the last 30 women who touched it to give birth to boys. A day after that report came one from Phuket, Thailand, of a newborn gecko with six legs and two heads said to be a magnet for folks seeking clues to winning lottery numbers.